You are almost done shaping up your clay and now it’s time to remove your masterpiece from the pottery wheel. But, wait! There is a good chance you might end up damaging the shape if you happen to hurry with the process. Not just that, if the structure is delicate and wet, it might even collapse. In such cases, bats for pottery wheels come in handy. But, do you need them? Can you make pottery on pottery wheels without the use of these bats? Let us dive into the details and relevance of bats for pottery wheels!
What Is A Pottery Wheel Bat?
Pottery wheel bats are circular discs or square pieces (depending on the brand) that are attached to the pottery wheel’s head. With the help of a bat, you can easily remove clay art from your pottery wheel even if it is completely wet. This helps reduce any chances of damage to your piece and prevents misshaping due to too much movement.
If you are wondering about the types of pottery wheel bats available in the market, the options are many. You can go for wooden, plastic, plaster, or masonite bats depending on your crafting needs. However, each of these materials has its pros and cons.
Also, if you do decide to get a pottery wheel bat, make sure you check whether your wheel has holes for the bat pins. This will help you keep the bat secured during the pottery-throwing process. Additionally, you need to understand that there is a difference between porous and non-porous materials used as pottery bats.
So, are pottery bats useful in pottery making? Well, let us understand the pros and cons of using one in your pottery-making escapade!
Pros And Cons Of Using A Pottery Wheel Bats
Pottery wheel bats are available in a range of materials, shapes, and sizes. But, what are the disadvantages associated with using the same and how does it benefit your pottery-making process? Let us learn all about it!
Pros
- Pottery wheel bats come in very handy for beginners. If you do not have the right skills to remove the wet pot from the wheel, a bat can help you do it with ease. All you need to do is unscrew the bat from the wheel and keep the pot aside to dry. Once the pot has taken shape and lost some moisture giving it stability, you can easily remove it from the bat. This saves a lot of time while making the work streamlined.
- A pottery bat can also protect your pottery wheel from mud splashes that can get into some parts of the wheel and dry out causing mechanical issues. Depending on the shape and size of the pottery wheel bat, the water or clay splashes are kept in the workspace only without getting inside into other parts.
- The best thing about using a pottery wheel bat is the fact that you can use it for creating multiple projects without the need to wait for the pot to stabilize a bit or clean it. Simply place the bat on the wheel and replace it with another when you are done. This will help you work on one clay piece after another without the need to stop and clean or wait.
- A pottery bat also helps keep the piece centered. You can easily remove the pottery piece from the crafting wheel without the need to disturb the centering. If your work isn’t complete, you can simply place the same bat with the clay piece on the wheel without recentering it. This is helpful for designs that are time-consuming and complex while requiring work in breaks.
- Depending on the type of pottery piece you are crafting, you can use square, round, or even rectangular bats. They come in different dimensions and diameters to help you maintain consistency.
Cons
- First things first, pottery bats tend to spike the cost you would want to invest in pottery equipment. Although you will get some great options at cost-effective prices, they need to be replaced with time given the wear and tear that happens over time. While it might not seem like a lot in the short term, it can spike in the long term, especially if you have a tight budget.
- Although pottery bats are available in a range of sizes and shapes, you might not find the right one for your pottery wheel. If you own a pottery wheel that doesn’t work with any bats available online, you might want to place an order for a custom-sized or unconventional bat. This can be particularly time-consuming and add to the overall cost.
- Pottery bats are efficient in reducing the cleaning needs of a pottery wheel. However, the bats themselves have to be cleaned as well. This helps prevent contamination of other projects you will make using the bat.
- Depending on the type of bat material you use, there might be breakage issues. For example, a porous material such as wood will not warp or break even if the pottery piece dries out on it. However, if the material is made of plastic, there is a chance that the bat might break due to the tension and strain of clay drying on the surface.
The ultimate decision of getting a pottery wheel bat depends entirely on your personal preference. However, despite the disadvantages, it surely helps ease your pottery-making process and prevents the possibility of breakage or warping. If you are looking for a trustworthy suggestion, the Speedball Pottery Wheel Bat is an ideal choice. Its circular design and size variety make it a great fit for most pottery wheels without making a big dent in your pocket.
Conclusion
Pottery wheel bats add stability, versatility, as well as efficiency to your pottery-making experience. However, you will only get the best results if you choose the right material and size for your pottery wheel. Before you make a purchase, consider the pricing and whether or not it fits the budget. Most beginner potters benefit from using pottery wheel bats as their benefits surely outweigh the demerits. So, make sure you give this a try before you commit to using pottery wheel bats as your go-to option for your daily crafting needs.
